Florian Plettenberg confirms the latest Liverpool target, Bayer Leverkusen center-back Piero Hincapie is not for sale at any price this summer.
Amid all the midfield revamp stories, the Reds have looked a bit idle in making any defensive signing this summer. However, the club clearly needs to sign a defender to strengthen the back-line.
Apart from Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the Merseysiders lack quality at the back. Whenever Joel Matip or Joe Gomez has played in place of them, they have looked jaded.
As Jurgen Klopp tried a 3-2-2-3 formation in the pre-season, the need for a left-footed center-back became more evident.
Although the club showed interest in Josko Gvardiol, Benjamin Pavard, Goncalo Inacio, Levi Colwill, and others throughout the summer. But none of the rumours followed through to a signing.
Recent reports show that LFC has shown interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s young defender Piero Hincapie.
Liverpool to miss out upon Piero Hincapie
According to Twitter update by Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Merseysiders will not be able to sign the Ecuadorian defender. The tweet stated,
“Piero Hincapie is NOT for sale this window!
Bayer 04 definitely wants to keep him. Key player for Xabi Alonso.
Understand there is NO price tag for Liverpool.”
The 21-year-old is a left-footed defender which fits the Reds’ profile criteria. However, the German side has put a behemoth of a price tag of £60M or more.
However, the Ecuadorian international should not be priced this high considering his age, achievements, and recent injury record. This goes to show that Leverkusen have very little intention of selling the player.
Ben Jacob’s take
Meanwhile, British journalist Ben Jacobs has a different approach to this news. He claims that Hincapie might be available for as low as £35M in the final week of the transfer window.
However, the German journalist has countered this claim with his update and made everything clear.
Liverpool on the other hand should use Jorg Schmadtke’s expertise in the German market and try signing the exciting defender.
An ardent football fan and a proud Red. I take immense pleasure in analyzing the intricacies of the game.
